MLB trade rumors: Yankees make deal with Rockies | What it means

Updated November 21, 2018 at 8:07 AM;Posted November 21, 2018 at 8:00 AM

GM Brian Cashman talks during batting practice as the New York Yankees host the Minnesota Twins in the American League Wild Card game at Yankee Stadium. 10/3/17 Bronx, N.Y. (John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

Why they did it: Foley, 25, would have been eligible for this year's Rule 5 Draft. The Yankees picked him in the fifth round of the 2014 draft out of Central Michigan University. So, rather than add Foley to the 40-man roster to protect him from getting picked, the Yankees sent him to the Rockies.

What were Foley's numbers?: Foley just finished a terrible Arizona Fall League, giving up 20 earned runs in 19 2/3 innings and seven games. That's a 9.15 ERA. He was much better during the regular season, posting a 2.98 ERA over 37 games and 66 1/3 innings at Double-A Trenton. He struck out 67 batters and walked 35.

Valdez, 23, went 3-1 with four saves and a 5.82 ERA (34.0IP, 48H, 27R/22ER, 9BB, 45K, 2HR) in 27 relief appearances for Single-A Boise in 2018. His 11.91 K/9.0 IP ratio ranked fifth in the Northwest League (min. 30.0IP). The native of Hato Mayor, Dominican Republic, was signed by the Rockies as a non-drafted free agent on May 8, 2015.

Remember: Earlier Tuesday, the Yankees protected right-handed reliever Joe Harvey from the Rule 5 draft, adding him to the 40-man. They left exposed a handful of interesting prospects who could get snatched -- including shortstop Kyle Holder, a 2015 first-round pick. Holder has an excellent glove, but hasn't played much above High-A.